Fold-down kitchenette

ABSTRACT

The fold-down kitchenette is designed for use in folding camping trailers and includes a two part cabinet having a base section and a movable top section, which can be moved between a raised functional position and a lowered transportation position. The top section of the cabinet supports a conventional sink and stove. Flexible drain hoses, waterlines, gas lines and electrical wiring are used to facilitate the movement of the top section between its functional and transportation positions. In two embodiments, the top section is pivotally connected to the base section by a linkage. The linkage uses a pivoting parallelogram mechanism, which allows the top section to move between a functional position seated atop the base section and a transportation position resting on the floor of the trailer. In another embodiment, the top section shiftably rides along a U-shaped track, which allows the top to shift between the raised functional position and the lowered transportation position.

This invention relates to kitchenettes for recreational vehicles, and specifically a fold-down kitchenette for use in pop-up trailers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Folding camping trailers, also referred to as fold-down campers, pop-up trailers or tent trailers, are a popular type of recreational vehicle. Folding camping trailers have sides that collapse for towing and storage. The low profiles of folding camping trailers greatly improve fuel efficiency of the towing vehicles by reducing wind resistance.

Conventional folding camping trailers include the same facilities as other recreational vehicles including kitchenettes. Heretofore, the height of the kitchenettes has been a limiting factor in reducing the profiles of folding camping trailers. The counter top of a typical kitchenette stands approximately thirty-six (36″) inches above the floor of the trailer. Reducing the height of the kitchenette counter top reduces its functionality, which is undesirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to provide a fold-down kitchenette for use in folding camping trailers. The fold-down kitchenettes embodying this invention include a two part cabinet having a base section and a movable top section, which can be moved between a raised functional position and a lowered transportation or storage position. The top section of the cabinet supports a conventional sink and stove. Flexible drain hoses, waterlines, gas lines and electrical wiring are used to facilitate the movement of the top section between its functional and transportation positions. In two embodiments, the top section is pivotally connected to the base section by a linkage. The linkage uses a pivoting parallelogram mechanism, which allows the top section to move between a functional position seated atop the base section and a transportation position resting on the floor of the trailer. In a third embodiment, the top section rides on rollers within a U-shaped track, which allows the top section to shift in a telescoping action between the raised functional position and the lowered transportation position.

The fold-down kitchenettes embodying this invention afford folding camping trailers a significantly lower, more streamline collapsed profile. In the functional position, the top sections sit atop the base sections placing the counter top at an ergometrically efficient height within the trailer with all the necessary sink and stove fixtures ready for use. In the transportation position, the top section is retracted into the base section or is pivoted off of the top of the base section to rest on the floor of the trailer adjacent the base section, thereby significantly lowering the overall height of the kitchenette. The linkage and slide track mechanisms allow the top section of the cabinet to move between the functional position and the transportation position, while maintaining the counter top of the top section in a horizontal plane.

These and other advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first kitchenette embodiment of this invention showing the top section of the cabinet in the raised functional position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first kitchenette embodiment showing the top section of the cabinet in the lowered transportation position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the first kitchenette embodiment with the cabinet in shadow and showing the top section in the lowered transportation position;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the first kitchenette embodiment with the cabinet in shadow and showing the top section in the raised functional position;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the first kitchenette embodiment with the cabinet in shadow and showing the top section moving between the raised functional position and the lowered transportation position;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the first kitchenette embodiment with the cabinet in shadow and showing the top section in the lowered transportation position;

FIG. 7 is a partial side sectional view of a simplified folding camping trailer including the first kitchenette embodiment in the raised functional position; and

FIG. 8 is a partial side sectional view of a simplified folding camping trailer including the first kitchenette embodiment in the lowered transportation position.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a second kitchenette embodiment of this invention showing the top section of the cabinet in the raise functional position;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the second kitchenette embodiment showing the top section of the cabinet in the lowered transportation position;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the second kitchenette embodiment with the cabinet in shadow and showing the top section in the raised functional position;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the second kitchenette embodiment with the cabinet in shadow and showing the top section in the lowered transportation position;

FIG. 13 is a side view of the second kitchenette embodiment showing the top section in the raised functional position;

FIG. 14 is a side view of the second kitchenette embodiment showing the top section moving between the functional position and the transportation position;

FIG. 15 is a side view of the second kitchenette embodiment showing the top section in the lowered transportation position;

FIG. 16 is a side view of a third kitchenette embodiment of this invention showing the top section of the cabinet in the lowered transportation position;

FIG. 17 is a side view of the third kitchenette showing the top section of the cabinet in the raised functional position;

FIG. 18 is a partial front view of a third kitchenette the top section of the cabinet in the lowered transportation position; and

FIG. 19 is a partial front view of a third kitchenette the top section of the cabinet in the raised functional position;

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The drawings illustrate three separate embodiments of the fold-down kitchenette of the present invention for use in conventional folding camper trailers.

Each embodiment of the kitchenette includes a two part cabinet having a base section and a movable top section. For simplicity of explanation, the base and top sections of the cabinet for each embodiment of the kitchenette are identified as reference numerals 10 and 14 respectively. Typically. Both base section 10 and top sections 14 use conventional wood cabinetry construction. As shown, base sections 10 have four sides and a flat laminate top 11. Top sections 14 have four sides and a laminate counter top 15. As customary in the art, base and top sections 10 and 14 may be fitted with doors and drawers as desired. Various kitchen fixtures, such as a sink basin 16 with water faucet 17 and a conventional stove 18 with multiple burners are mounted to counter top 15. These kitchen fixtures are of conventional design suitable for RV applications. While not illustrated, flexible hoses, tubing and wire connect the kitchen fixtures to the trailer's various drainage, water, gas and/or electrical systems. These flexible connections extend up from the interior of base section 10 through an elongated opening 13 into the interior of top section 14, which allows the top section to move between its functional position and the transportation position.

The first two embodiment (FIGS. 1-15) use a linkage to pivotally connect the top section and base section. For each of these embodiments, the linkage allows top sections 14 to move between a functional position seated atop base sections 10 and a transportation position resting on the floor 4 of a trailer 2. The linkage uses a pivoting parallelogram mechanism, which operates just as a parallel rule to move top sections 14 between the functional position and the transportation position, while maintaining counter top 15 in a horizontal plane. In the pivoting parallelogram linkage, each link connecting top and base sections 10 and 14 has the same length between pivot points. The pivot points on top sections 14 are spaced identically to the pivot points on base section 10, so that each link rotates about a pair of parallel horizontal axis. Because the axis of rotation of all links are parallel and equally spaced across a vertical plane, top section counter top 15 remains level as top section 14 is moved between the functional position and the transportation position.

FIGS. 1-8 illustrate the first embodiment of the kitchenette (designated generally as reference numeral 20) using a linkage mechanism. In this embodiment, the linkage includes a U-shaped lever bar 22, a curved center link 32 and a side support link 36. Lever bar 22 is constructed of a length of tubular steel bent to have a back 23 and two parallel sides 24. Pivot pins 26 and brackets 27 and 29 pivotally connect lever bar 22 at the ends of sides 24 to base section 10 near the top and front of the base section. A second pair of pivot pins 28 connect top section 14 to lever bar 22 at a mid point along sides 24. The back 23 of lever bar 22 acts as a handle for manually moving top section 14 between the functional position (FIGS. 1, 4 and 7) and the transportation position (FIGS. 2, 3, 5, 6 and 8). Pivot pins 34 and brackets 35 secure center link 32 to base and top sections 10 and 14. One end of center link 32 is mounted inside top section 14 near the under side of counter top 15. The other end of curved link 32 extends through slot opening 13 and is pivotally connected to base section 10 near top 11. Side support link 36 acts as a stabilizing bar and is pivotally mounted between base and top sections 10 and 14 below lever bar side 24. Pivot pins 38 connect side support link 36 to mounting brackets 29 that secure lever bar 22 to the base and top sections 10 and 14. Side support link 36 prevents top section 14 from tipping as the top section moves past the point where the pivot points align on the same plane.

FIGS. 9-15 illustrate a second embodiment of the kitchenette (designated generally as reference numeral 40) using a linkage mechanism. In this embodiment, the linkage includes two metal rods 42 and 44, which are bent to form the two pairs of parallel links. Each Linkage rod 42 and 44 is bent to form a back 45, two L-shaped legs 46 and two feet 48. Brackets 50 secure backs 45 of linkage rod 42 to the back of top section 14 and brackets 52 pivotally secure feet 48 of linkage rod 42 to the top of base section 10. Brackets 54 secure back 45 of linkage rod 44 to the bottom of base section top 11. Feet 48 of linkage rod 44 are pivotally fitted into bores in two ears 56 mounted to opposite ends of top section 14. As shown, corner portions 53 of top 11 of base section 10 and a notch 51 in the sides of top section 14 are cut away to accommodate the pivotal movement of rod 44 as the top section is moved between the functional and transport positions. Top section 14 also includes a leg 58 for supporting the top section in its transportation position.

FIGS. 16-19 illustrate a third embodiment of the kitchenette (designated generally as reference numeral 60) where top section 14 rides on rollers within a U-shaped track, which allows the top section to shift in a telescoping action between the raised functional position and the lowered transportation position. As shown, top section 14 is shiftably mounted to base section 10 between two vertical guide plates 62. Guide plates 62 are constructed and formed from a heavy gage metal, which provides support for top section 14. Guide plates 62 are mounted to top of base section 10 by fasteners 64 or other suitable methods. A pair of rollers 66 are mounted to the inside of both sidewalls of top section 10. Both rollers 66 on each side of top section 10 are seated within a symmetrical C-shaped slots 63 are cut into guide plates 62. Slots 63 act as guide tracks for rollers 66. As shown, slots 63 have continuous C-shaped configuration with horizontal bottom and top runs that terminate in end depression, which act as a stop. The configuration of slots 63 allow top section 10 to be shifted between the raised functional position and the retracted storage position. Alternatively, rollers can be seated within two guide tracks constructed of C-channel bent or formed in the configuration similar to slots 23. These guide track would be mounted directly to the sidewalls of the base or top sections.

One skilled in the art will note several advantages of the fold-down kitchenettes as embodied herein for folding camping trailers. The fold-down kitchenettes of this invention afford folding camping trailers a significantly lower collapsed profile. In the transportation position within a collapsed trailer, the top section is shifted along the guide tracks or pivoted off the base reducing the overall height of the cabinetry. In the functional position, the fold-down design of the kitchenettes places the counter top at an ergometrically efficient height for the users. The kitchenette fixtures are completely functional and avail to use without any modification to a conventional trailer. The flexible sink and stove connections are contained within the cabinetry and require little if any setup by the user. The top section of the cabinet sits securely atop the base section affording access to any storage area within either cabinet section.

The embodiments of the present invention herein described and illustrated are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is presented to explain the invention so that others skilled in the art might utilize its teachings. The embodiment of the present invention may be modified within the scope of the following claims. 

1. A fold-down kitchenette comprising: a cabinet having a base section and a top section; kitchen fixtures mounted to the top section; and means connecting the base section and the top section such that the top section shifts relative to the base section between a first position where the top section is raised above the base section at a first height and a second position where the top section is lowered relative to the base section at a second height below the first height.
 2. The kitchenette of claim 1 wherein connecting means includes a first link and a second link, the first link pivotally connecting the base section for rotational movement about a first horizontal axis and pivotally connecting the top section at a second horizontal axis where the first horizontal axis is parallel to the second horizontal axis, the second link pivotally connecting the base section for rotational movement about a first horizontal axis and pivotally connecting the top section at a second horizontal axis where the first horizontal axis is parallel to the second horizontal axis, the distance between the first horizontal axis of the first link and the first horizontal axis of the second link is equal to the distance between the second horizontal axis of the first link and the first horizontal axis of the second link.
 3. The kitchenette of claim 1 wherein the connecting means includes a track and a roller part, the track mounted to one of the top section and the base section, the roller is mounted to the other of the top section and the base section for shiftable movement along the length of the track.
 4. The kitchenette of claim 3 wherein the track has a first horizontal run and a second horizontal run spaced parallel below the first horizontal run.
 5. A fold-down kitchenette comprising: a cabinet having a base section and a top section; kitchen fixtures mounted to the top section; and linkage means for connecting the base section and the top section to facilitate movement of the top section relative to the base section between a first position where the top section seats atop the base section and a second position where the top section is positioned adjacent the base section.
 6. The kitchenette of claim 5 wherein linkage includes a first link and a second link, the first link pivotally connecting the base section for rotational movement about a first horizontal axis and pivotally connecting the top section at a second horizontal axis where the first horizontal axis is parallel to the second horizontal axis, the second link pivotally connecting the base section for rotational movement about a first horizontal axis and pivotally connecting the top section at a second horizontal axis where the first horizontal axis is parallel to the second horizontal axis, the distance between the first horizontal axis of the first link and the first horizontal axis of the second link is equal to the distance between the second horizontal axis of the first link and the first horizontal axis of the second link.
 7. A fold-down kitchenette comprising: a cabinet having a base section and a top section; kitchen fixtures mounted to the top section; and means for connecting the base section and the top section to facilitate extensible movement of the top section relative to the base section between a first position where the top section is extended above the base section and a second position where the top section is retracted into the base section.
 8. The kitchenette of claim 7 wherein the connecting means includes a track and a roller part, the track mounted to one of the top section and the base section, the roller mounted to the other of the top section and the base section for shiftable movement along the length of the track.
 9. The kitchenette of claim 8 wherein the track has a first horizontal run and a second horizontal run spaced parallel below the first horizontal run. 